HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 111, 3 February 1934, Page 17

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

District Notes of Current Interest

Mr. G. W. Markland, of Lower Hutt, left yesterday to attend the celebrations at Waitangi.

Further arrangements are being made by the New Zealand Alpine and RockGarden Society for the building of a model roek garden at the Easter show to be held in Wellington.

An increase of six members is shown in the quarterly returns of th 6 Lower Hutt Methodist Circuit. The membership totals which is made up of Hutt, 294; Waiwetu, 45; Taila, 18; and Belmont, 7.

Exceptional progress has been imide with the Hutt District Burns Club since its inception. The club was founded two years ago with a membership of 29, and to-day, with 209 members, the club has been obliged to decline further Dominations.

An application from the Lower Hutt U.W.M. to hold an open-air meeting on Sunday evening to welcome the “hunger” marchers from Gisborne has been refused by the Mny'or of Lower Hutt, Mr. J. W. Andrews, after consultation with the council.

Doubt that the Hutt. Recreation Ground would be available for cricket this season was expressed by many Lower Hutt residents when the ground was being extensively altered last year. The prophesy of the Mayor, Mr. J. W. Andrews, that cricket would be played there toward the end of January has been fulfilled, however, and matches will be played on the ground to-day.

EXCELLENT PROGRESS Lower Hutt Kindergarten The annual meeting ot the Lower Hutt Free Kindergarten Association was held in the Moera Hull on Tuesday evening. Mr. A. W. Wenson was in the chni r. The annual report, read by the secretary, Mr. W. Burns, showed that excellent progress had been made, and it was agreed that in view of the difficulties encountered, the balance was a very creditable one. Many social functions, in aid of the kindergarten, had been held during the year. In her report, the principal, Miss Riley, said that out of a roll number of 50 the average attendance was 15. Miss Riley voiced deep appreciation of the efforts of the voluntary helpers, without whose assistance the work could not have been carried on. She also paid high tribute to the splendid work accomplished throughout the year by the Mothers’ Club, and their ready assistance in the routine work of the kindergarten. Miss Riley said the kindergarten activities were restricted because of th small staff. The hall was large enough to accommodate 80 children, and the equipment was adequate for that number, but the shortage of helpers proved a continual handicap. The meeting closed with a. very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Nash for his interest, and for taking the chair, nnd to the retiring committee for their ■splendid services during the year.

LOAN SANCTIONED Proposed Grandstand For Recreation Ground POLL TO BE TAKEN Proposals recently put forward by the Mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. J. W . Andrews, for the construction ot a grandstand on (he Hutt Recreation Ground have gone a step further, and Mr. Andrews has received the approval of the Local Government Loans Board to take a poll of (he ratepayers for the raising of £3500 for this purpose. The poll is to take place on March 14. The grandstand is estimated to cost £4OOO. but a donation of £5OO has been received from the Bartliorpo Memorial Bequest. MEMORY HONOURED Scotland’s Immortal Bard Fully 150 persons assembled at the Moera" Hall at the invitation of the Hutt. District Burns Club to commemorate the 137tb anniversary of Robert Burns, Scotland’s immortal bard. The president,, Mr. G. R. Murray, occupied the chair, and extended a warm welcome to all the visitors. The society chose as its slogan for the evening, Burns’s own words: "My worst word is, Welcome and Welcome again.” After the loyal toast had been honoured, the customary performance of piping in the haggis with full musical honours was carried out by Pipe-Major McLellan, followed by Mr. G. Logie bearing the haggis. Mr. James McDonald then recited the famous “Address to the Haggis,” by Burns. “The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns” was toasted by the president, who spoke of the wonderful affection in which the national bard was held, and recalled the fact that similar gatherings were that night being held in every corner of the'world by rich and poor alike to honour and revere Ihe memory of that great man. Of Burns —the man and the poet—much might be said. In his lifetime he was regarded as a phenomenon, and to-day he was still a phenomenon. Their gratitude was due to the man who found the songs of his country indelicate and left them pure. Other toasts honoured during the evening were: “The Lassies.” proposed in original verse by Mr. F. Cardno, and replied to by Miss Riley; “Kindred Sports and Guests,” proposed by Mr. Fairbrotber, and replied to by Pipe-Major Roy. Mr. W. Nash. M.P., in proposing the toast of “Our President,” warmly congratulated the promoters who had formed the local Burns Club upon ils amazing progress, adding that such societies were valuable as they enabled people to know one another. No English song writer had been equal to Burns in depicting love of country and its women. The good he had done to the world in this respect had far outweighed his failings. In reply. Mr. Murray paid a warm tribute to the work done by the executive and the women, without whose help the club could not have succeeded. The lion, secretary. Mr. J. Findlay, had also done an enormous amount of work for Mie club, and had carried out his duties in a most efficient manner. An excellent musical programme was provided, the following rendering Scottish songs between the speeches:—Mrs. Douglas, “Star o’ Robbie Burns,” “Ae Fond Kiss.” “Bonnio Wells Oh Weary,” “My Ain Folk;” Mrs. T. Logie, “Scots Wha Hae”; Mr. P. H. Mayhall, “Afton Water,” “Bonnie Mary of Argyle,” “Robin Adair.” The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought a pleasant evening to a close.

METHODIST CIRCUIT Meeting at Lower Hutt Twcuty-four members were present at the quarterly meeting of tbe Ixiwer Hutt Methodist Circuit, which was held recently, the Rev. Harold Sharp presiding. The balance-sheet showed a credit on the quarter of £26/19/9, leaving a debit of £39/15/6. A vote of appreciation of tbe work of the finance committee was passed. It was arranged to bold the Harvest Festival services at Taita on March 4, Hutt on March 11, and Waiweiu on March 18, the leaders’ meeting to arrange at each chureb. Greetings were conveyed to tbe Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Leggate, from Manchester, who have come to New Zealand in the interests of the Toe H movement. It was reported that the amount raised for home missions was £66/12/2. In the election of circuit stewards, Mr. O. Dryden, nominated by the chairman, and Mr. J. S. Reid, nominated by the members, were both elected, and were thanked for their services during the past year. Mr. J, M. ’Thompson was elected as representative to tbe annual conference, and Mr. W. H. Johnston was elected as .substitute. The chairman congratulated Mr. Charles Russell on his reappointment as president of I lie N.Z.Y.M.B.C. Union. Tlie meeting recommended I lie appointment of tlie Rev. A. Harding as Methodist chaplain to hospitals in I lie Wellington district. Messrs. T. Attwood, W. 11. Johnston, and J. M. Thompson were appointed representatives to tlie Wellington district executive. Several members expressed appreciation of the Rev. H. Sharp’s Sunday morning addresses on “Teachings of Jesus.” HOURS FOR HOSING Upper Hutt Restrictions Hours for hosing in Hie Upper Hutt district are advertised by Hie borough council in lliis issue. Hosing is permilled in (lie east ward from 6 p.m. Io 7.30 p.m., and in tlie west ward from 7.:;o p.m. to 9 p.m. Tlie council empliasises that while there is no Inek of water in tlie reservoir tlie excessive draw-off front hoses lias reduced the pressure considerably. The council is endeavouring to relieve this strniii by allowing hosing to take place in either Ward at different periods. So great has been flic ineotivcnieiiee caused by indiscriminate hosing llial tlie council is taking precautions to see that the restrictions are adhere to.